Impetigo is a bacterial
skin infection which is highly contagious. It is most commonly found in children,
although in rare cases it can be found in adults.

It is caused by
the staphylococcus bacteria, and is not considered dangerous but needs to be
treated to prevent spreading and infecting those who come into contact with
the patient.

What
does impetigo look like?

It first appears
as a small scratch or an itchy piece of inflamed skin. Small blisters then develop
and these can rupture releasing a yellow fluid. The top of the blister then
becomes crusty, and new blisters develop in the same place or in different parts
of the body. If you notice anything like this on your child's body, visit a
doctor immediately.

Who
is most at risk of developing impetigo?

Children are most
at risk of developing impetigo. Children and adolescents who have the skin condition
eczema are especially at risk.

On
which part of the body is impetigo most likely to be found?

Impetigo usually
appears on the face, especially around the areas of the mouth and nose. However
it can appear on other exposed sites such as the arms and legs.

How
is impetigo spread?

Impetigo is extremely
contagious. It can be spread from one person to another through touch or shared
items such as clothes and towels. However a person can also spread it to another
part of their own body through scratching or picking at blisters.

What
happens if my child scratches her impetigo?

The impetigo blisters
are packed with bacteria, therefore if she scratches the blisters; she will
release these bacteria causing the impetigo to spread on her own body, as well
as possibly passing it on to others.

One of the reasons
why impetigo is so contagious is because most people, especially young children,
find it very difficult not to scratch or at least touch their impetigo.

You should encourage
your child to avoid scratching or touching it, get them to wash their hands
regularly (preferably with anti-bacterial soap), and cut their nails short.

And remember if
you touch your child's impetigo for any reason, make sure you wash your hands
too.

How
can I stop my child from developing impetigo?

Good hygiene is
the key. Keep your child's nails short. Make sure they wash their hands regularly.
Discourage them from sharing things such as clothes and towels, especially in
places where impetigo could be rife, such as public swimming pools.